Forced to be a concubine? I turned around and married the scumbag's father.

The sound of the midnight watch rang out.

Gu Hua could no longer rub the fabric, so she had no choice but to gather the clothes and let Dong Qing and Dong Hua help her bathe and change.

"I can go by myself." Gu Hua took the lantern from Dong Hua's hand.

"The road is a bit dark..."

Dongqing pulled back the straightforward Donghua and said softly, "Be careful on the way, young lady, take the back path."

"Hmm." Gu Hua nodded, walking slowly outside in a low mood.

Donghua asked in a low voice, "Why did you stop me from going with the girl? The path is so dark."

Dongqing glanced at her: "With Chiyu and the others watching that road, no one dares to wander off."

Donghua didn't quite catch on, and Dongqing tapped her on the forehead: "You're usually quite clever, but you just can't get it right when it comes to this. Girls are sensitive. Didn't you see her pale face?"

Donghua frowned, rubbing her forehead, looking indignant: "I just can't understand it. Since you're already the master's woman, why don't you give her a title? It makes things so difficult for Miss Hua!"

Dongqing unfolded the fabric that Gu Hua had gathered, took out her needle and thread, and continued making the nightgown.

"Don't you know what kind of person our lord is? Do you really think he doesn't marry because he looks down on those noble ladies? Our lord doesn't want to implicate girls."

Donghua plopped down next to her, her round face scrunched up.

"But Miss Kehua is already the master's woman, how can she remarry in the future?"

Dongqing turned her head and glared at her: "Our Miss Hua is so good, and the lord is also thinking of Miss Hua's future. What if the lord... becomes like the old Duke? What will become of Miss Hua in the future?"

Donghua understood now, but she still couldn't figure it out, so she simply shut up and bent down to help Dongqing tidy up the embroidery thread.

Inside the main room of Guanshanlou, a lamp was still lit on the table.

Gu Hua peeked through the crack in the door, and the dim light outlined Mu Junyan's resolute face.

He wasn't wearing a black robe today, but rather a loosely draped crescent-white undergarment. Orange candlelight spilled across his tall figure, and he no longer exuded the usual cold and imposing aura, but rather a gentle and relaxed feeling, along with a strong sense of security.

Gu Hua's tense mood immediately eased a bit.

But I couldn't see his expression clearly, so I didn't know how he was feeling today.

"Aren't you coming in? Do you like the cold wind?"

A deep voice came out, and Gu Hua was taken aback.

Dog nose.

How did I know she was at the door without making a sound?

She was in a good mood that afternoon. Mu Junyan had been very kind to her these past two days, and she wanted to present him with a gift for the old lady's birthday, which had won her the old lady's favor. She could have stayed away from Mu Junyan.

Unexpectedly, as night fell, the man's desires were aroused.

The gratitude I felt for him that had just arisen in the last two days quickly dissipated.

Gu Hua couldn't help but curse herself inwardly for indulging in wishful thinking again.

It's just an exchange.

Is she expecting something?

She actually felt that someone of Mu Junyan's status would feel a little pity for such a pitiful person as her, and that this was truly a good thing.

Gu Hua carried the lantern inside and glanced at the man bent over his desk reading documents.

After a long while, when no sound was heard, Mu Junyan finally looked up.

Under the orange light, her delicate face appeared even warmer.

However, there was a faint sense of detachment on her small face, as if she had only come here because of his orders.

He asked calmly, "What are you standing there for?"

Gu Hua thought to herself, "She's not a mind reader; how could she know what to do if I don't tell her?"

But she didn't dare to talk back.

The obedient girl curtsied and said sweetly, "Your Excellency...would you like to sleep in the study?"

Mu Junyan paused, his pen still in his hand, staring intently at her.

Did he call her over just to sleep with her?

In her mind, was he just one of those vulgar, unbearable men?

Today, she swindled 50,000 taels of silver from Pei Yi, and then used the silver to seduce Mu An, making him eagerly go to Jinxiu Pavilion.

The little girl went through all this trouble, made all this big moves, and dug such a big pit for Mu An to fall into. Shouldn't she explain this to him?

This is the Duke's mansion, and this little brat has managed to fool him right under his nose.

The kitten has extended its sharp claws!

The original intention of calling her here was to remind her not to act rashly. The murky waters of the power struggle between the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War were not something a naive young girl like her could stir up.

Although Mu Junyan knew she had misunderstood, he inexplicably nodded in agreement.

Gu Hua felt a deep sense of sorrow.

See? Men are all the same!

But who told her to choose this path willingly?

All we can do is try our best to satisfy them.

Having figured it out, Gu Hua put on the expression of a woman who would seduce a man, and asked shyly, "Has the Duke taken a bath?"

If he hadn't taken a bath, she planned to ask Dongmo to help him bathe.

She secretly brought the calming incense that Shen Li had given her and lit it while he was taking a bath.

After he had a relaxing soak in the hot spring and smelled the calming incense, she massaged a few acupoints to help him fall asleep quickly...

Gu Hua was feeling quite pleased with herself when she heard a low, husky voice: "You should help the master take a bath."

Gu Hua stood frozen in place.

Why didn't the older man do as she wanted?

Mu Junyan, with a leisurely air, asked, "What? You're unwilling?"

How could she dare say she was unwilling? She was still a budding talent, while the other party was a big spender who would make her go through fire and water.

She flashed her usual sweet smile, like a professional bed warmer: "Serving the Duke in his bath is my honor, how could I possibly refuse?"

A strange anger welled up inside Mu Junyan.

The young maid is preparing to make a nightgown and embroider a headband for the old lady. Shouldn't she make one for him first?

Does this mean they're preparing to curry favor with the old lady?

What an ingrate!

Gu Hua couldn't understand the expression on his face as he stared at her. Seeing that he hadn't said anything for a long time, she had no choice but to squat down and say, "This concubine will prepare a bath for the Duke."

Just as I was about to turn around, someone called out to me.

"come over."

Gu Hua watched as his fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, and she sensed that something was off about him.

My heart skipped a beat.

Perhaps this old man has encountered something upsetting and is taking it out on her?

He looked much more listless and moved over slowly with heavy steps.

Did you do something wrong?

Mu Junyan couldn't bear to see her so listless. His little girl should be happily sticking her head over to rub against him every day.

She, who has always been timid as a mouse, has now dared to make a shocking plan and touch upon matters of the court. She should be terrified and uneasy.

If she were to ask him for help, he might consider it.

Mu Junyan waited patiently for her to speak.

The little girl glared at her with her bright eyes and blinked.

What did she do wrong?

If you want to add guilt, why bother?

She said, feeling wronged, "If you say I'm wrong, then I'm wrong."

Whoops!

That was said in a fit of pique.

In such a short time, the little girl has become increasingly adept at using her little hands.

Mu Junyan laughed in exasperation, hooked his long arm around Yingying's slender waist, and pulled her onto his thigh.

The young girl dutifully reached out her delicate arm and hooked it around his neck.

Is this okay now?

Since she's been so well-behaved and obedient, could this gentleman please be a little gentler tonight?

She still hadn't finished making the old lady's sleeping clothes!

Mu Junyan: "..."

That's going a bit too far with the perfunctory attitude.

And what's with those shifty eyes?

What is the little fox thinking now?